Bovine Tuberculosis

Lord De Mauley: My Right Honourable Friend Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has today made the following statement.
	The two badger cull pilots, in Somerset and Gloucestershire, were designed to test that controlled shooting is a safe, humane and effective means of reducing badger numbers. Successfully tackling bovine TB (bTB) in the badger population is a key element in our strategy to rid England of bTB within 25 years.
	Today I am announcing to the House that the six-week period of the Somerset TB control pilot cull was completed on 6 October. Current indications suggest that the pilot has been safe, humane and effective in delivering a reduction in the badger population of just under 60 per cent. We set ourselves a challenging target of aiming to ensure that 70 per cent of the badger population was removed during the pilot. The Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) has advised that the 60 per cent reduction this year will deliver clear disease benefits as part of a 4-year cull. However, Natural England are considering an application from Somerset for a short extension of the culling period, as provided for under the agreement with the Company. The advice of the CVO is that further increasing the number of badgers culled would improve those benefits even further and enable them to accrue earlier.
	The targets for this cull were set at the outset on the basis of population estimates carried out in September 2012. This was repeated in August 2013 immediately before the culls started.
	The results of this latest exercise show that the estimated number of badgers is significantly fewer in both areas compared to last summer. In Somerset the latest population estimate is 1,450 compared to 2,400 last year, and in Gloucestershire 2,350 compared to 3,400.
	In the six weeks of the cull, 850 badgers have been removed in Somerset.
	One of the lessons we have learned already from this pilot is that in order to ensure high levels of safety and humaneness, the cull period may need to be longer than six weeks in future. The Independent Panel of Experts will consider all the information which has been collated during the culls and it will be made publicly available after the culls have finished.
	The cull in Gloucestershire is still on-going and I will make a further statement when the 6 weeks is completed. I understand that this morning Gloucestershire is also submitting an application for an extension to Natural England.
	To achieve our aim of ridding England of bTB within 25 years will require long-term solutions and considerable national resolve. This Government is committed to tackling the disease in all reservoirs and by all available means. Our cattle industry and the countryside deserve no less.

British Hallmarking Council: Triennial Review

Viscount Younger of Leckie: My Rt. Hon Friend the Minister of State for Universities and Skills (David Willetts) has made the following statement.
	The Coalition Government made a commitment to review public bodies, with the aim of increasing accountability for actions carried out on behalf of the state. The Triennial Review of the British Hallmarking Council is one of the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) reviews of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) scheduled to commence during the third year of the programme (2013-14). The review will commence in October 2013.
	The review will be conducted as set out in Cabinet Office guidance, in two stages.
	The first stage will:
	Identify and examine the key functions of the British Hallmarking Council and assess the requirement for these to continue;
	If continuing, then assess delivery options and where the conclusion is that a particular function is still needed examine how this function might best be delivered, including a cost and benefits analysis where appropriate;
	If one of these options is continuing delivery through the British Hallmarking Council then make an assessment against the Government’s “three tests”: technical function; political impartiality; need for independence from Ministers.
	If the outcome of stage 1 is that delivery should continue through the British Hallmarking Council as a Non Departmental Public Body, then the second stage of the project will be to ensure that it is operating in line with the recognised principles of good corporate governance, using the Cabinet Office “comply or explain” standard approach.
	When completed the report of the review will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Cold Weather Payments

Lord Freud: My honourable friend the Minister for Pensions (Steve Webb MP) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	I am pleased to announce that later today we intend to lay regulations to amend the Cold Weather Payment scheme. The changes detailed in these regulations will come into force on 1 November this year, in time for the beginning of the winter period.
	Following advice from the Meteorological Office, for winter 2013/14, no new weather stations are recommended. However Rostherne weather station has been upgraded and given a permanent status at the same location and Church Fenton weather station is no longer listed as the alternative station for Linton on Ouse and has been replaced with Bramham weather station.
	Also and as a result of MPs’ representations a few postcodes will be re-assigned to suitable weather stations.
	This will ensure that the weather stations to postcode links are as representative as the current arrangement.
	I am writing to each Member who made representations about the administration of the scheme last winter to make them aware of the advice from the Meteorological Office.
	Cold Weather Payments are separate from, and in addition to, Winter Fuel Payments.
	The amendments resulted from the Department’s annual review of the Cold Weather Payments scheme. The review drew on expert advice from the Meteorological Office and took account of representations from benefit claimants and Members of Parliament.
	For winter 2013/14 the Cold Weather Payment rate will continue to be £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather.

Equitable Life Payment Scheme

Lord Deighton: My right honourable friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Sajid Javid) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	The Government announced today that the Equitable Life Payment Scheme (“the Scheme”) will be extended to 2015.
	The Government is taking this action to make sure as many Equitable Life policyholders as possible receive the payment they are due for the injustice they suffered. The Scheme’s latest progress report confirmed that policyholders have already received £734 million in payments, and since then payments continue to be made.
	Despite this good progress, the Government wants to maximise the number of people who receive their payment. This has been our aim from the start of the Scheme, but because the address information received from Equitable Life can be up to 20 years old, or non-existent in some cases, the Scheme has been unable to trace a number of policyholders.
	We will shortly launch a national advertising campaign to encourage eligible policyholders to come forward and claim their payment. This work will complement the ongoing work the Scheme is doing to trace policyholders. By extending the Scheme we are giving this work a greater chance of success.
	Any policyholder who believes themselves to be eligible for the Scheme, but has not yet been contacted, is encouraged to call the Scheme directly on 0300 0200 150 where they will be advised of the next steps to take.

EU: Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Baroness Warsi: My Honourable Friend the Minister of State for Europe (David Lidington) made the following Written Ministerial Statement in September.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs attended the informal Foreign Ministers meeting on 6 and 7 September in Vilnius, Lithuania.
	The informal format of the Gymnich allows EU Foreign Ministers to engage in a free-ranging discussion on a number of issues. In contrast to arrangements in the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), Ministers do not agree any formal written conclusions. The next FAC is due to be held on 21 October.
	The Gymnich was chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton of Upholland. Her remarks following the meeting, and the statement issued reflecting the position agreed by all member states on Syria, can be found at: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/138691.pdf.
	The meeting was structured around three themes: common security and defence policy (CSDP) and the December 2013 European Council discussion on defence; eastern partnership; and the southern neighbourhood.
	Commissioners Füle (enlargement and European neighbourhood policy) and Georgieva (international co-operation, humanitarian aid and crisis response) were in attendance for some of the discussions, as were US Secretary of State John Kerry, and Elmar Brok MEP, chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs.
	CSDP/December European Council discussion on Defence
	Ministers welcomed Baroness Ashton’s draft interim report on proposals for the December Council. There was broad support for improved CSDP co-ordination with international actors, especially NATO, the US and the UN, with some Ministers calling for greater engagement with eastern partners, and Turkey. Ministers also considered how the EU could develop its role in response to new challenges, including cyber security, energy security, and maritime security.
	The Foreign Secretary said that the December European Council was a real opportunity to signal how the EU can contribute to global security, to agree practical improvements to CSDP and to ensure that European partners had the capabilities both civilian and military to act, whether through the EU or NATO. The EU’s comparative strength was the ability to deploy a spectrum of political, military and civilian tools as part of a comprehensive approach to conflict prevention, crisis management and stabilisation. Baroness Ashton concluded by saying that her final report would aim to build a consensual approach.
	Eastern Partnership
	Baroness Ashton argued that the Vilnius summit should show partners the real value in their relationship with the EU. Foreign Ministers discussed latest developments in the region, including progress of reforms and eastern partners’ relationships with Russia.
	The Foreign Secretary emphasised the importance of keeping a focus on judicial reform and tackling corruption in Ukraine. Baroness Ashton concluded by encouraging member states to keep up their strong support for reform.
	Southern Neighbourhood: MEPP
	Secretary Kerry briefed EU Foreign Ministers on the middle east peace process (MEPP) and emphasised that the US could not succeed without EU support. He noted that, while the cost of failure would be great, success would open up political and economic benefits in the wider region. Ministers reiterated their strong backing for Secretary Kerry’s efforts. Secretary Kerry also raised implementation of recent guidelines on the eligibility of Israeli entities for EU funding.
	Southern Neighbourhood: Syria
	Ministers considered the issue of Syria, including possible military action. The Foreign Secretary stated that the evidence on regime culpability was clear, and that the EU should support an early response which deterred further use, avoid being prescriptive on the UN process, push the political track, and step up support for the humanitarian effort in line with the Prime Minister’s initiative launched at the G20.
	Ministers agreed a statement to be issued by Baroness Ashton (see above link) which: condemns in the strongest terms the 21 August attack as a war crime and a crime against humanity; notes “strong evidence” of regime responsibility; calls for a “clear and strong response”; underscores the need to address the Syrian crisis through the UN process, welcomes Hollande’s decision to await the inspectors' report, and calls on the UN Security Council to fulfil its responsibilities; notes the individual responsibility of perpetrators before the International Criminal Court; calls for the swift convening of the Geneva II peace conference; and restates the EU’s support for humanitarian assistance. At his press conference afterwards Secretary Kerry said he was very grateful for this “strong statement”.

EU: Transport Council

Baroness Kramer: My Honourable Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Robert Goodwill) has made the following Ministerial Statement:
	I will attend the first Transport Council of the Lithuanian Presidency (the Presidency) taking place in Luxembourg on Thursday 10 October.
	There will be an orientation debate on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 establishing common rules on compensation and
	assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights and Regulation (EC) No 2027/97 on air carrier liability in respect of the carriage of passengers and their baggage. The UK will look to ensure that additional burdens and costs on UK Industry are minimised (whilst retaining an appropriate level of protection for passengers), particularly on the core issues that the Presidency have identified for discussion.
	The Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 219/2007 on the establishment of a joint undertaking to develop the new generation European air traffic management system (SESAR) will be adopted. The Single European Sky initiative aims to modernise the European air traffic management system and has considerable scope to reduce costs and improve the travelling experience for UK passengers. We plan to support the proposed extension of the SESAR Joint Undertaking to 2024 because it still has an important role to deliver the research and development set out in the Air Traffic Management Master Plan in support of the wider Single European Sky initiative.
	There will be a general approach on three proposals.
	The first is a Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on railway safety (part of the 4th Railway package). The UK’s position on the recast Railway Safety Directive is to ensure that we build on processes that already work well and, where appropriate, modify these to recognise changes such as the introduction of the single safety certificate. All UK interests and objectives are maintained by the proposed General Approach text. I therefore fully support this proposal and the adoption of a General Approach by the Council.
	The second is a Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 912/2010 setting up the European GNSS Agency which will play a central role in improving the governance and management of the EU's satellite navigations systems Galileo and EGNOS. I fully support this proposal and the adoption of a General Approach by the Council.
	The third is a Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on multi-annual funding for the action of the European Maritime Safety Agency in the field of response to pollution caused by ships and to marine pollution caused by old and gas installations. The Commission is proposing a multiannual financial packet to be dispensed from the European Union budget for the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020 coinciding with the new Multiannual Financial Framework. This planned funding will not be agreed until the overall Multiannual Financial Framework is finalised.
	The Commission proposes earmarking an amount of €160.5 million for the referenced period compared to €154 million for the previous period. Annual appropriations will then be determined by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial framework. As this is coming from within the existing EU budget there are no additional financial burdens to the United Kingdom.
	The United Kingdom supports the work of the European Maritime Safety Agency and recognises the contribution it makes to maritime safety.
	Under Any Other Business, the Commission will provide information on the Aviation Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), on recent transport accidents, requirement of passenger data by the Russian Federation (PNR) and on the system for monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of GHG emissions from international maritime transport.

Export Guarantees Advisory Council: Triennial Review

Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint: The Government is committed to periodically reviewing public bodies to ensure their roles, functions and operations continue to be necessary. A triennial review of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council, a statutory non-departmental public body of the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD), will commence shortly in line with published Cabinet Office guidelines. The review will be carried out by ECGD officials. Interested parties will be invited to make representations. The aim is to complete the review by the end of 2013. The outcome will be presented to Parliament.

Gibraltar

Baroness Warsi: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (William Hague) made the following Written Ministerial Statement in September.
	Since 26 July, attempts by the Spanish Government to exert pressure on Gibraltar and its people have increased significantly. Disproportionate and time-consuming checks have been introduced at the Gibraltar/Spain border, leading to delays of up to seven hours. Other concerning actions have occurred, such as ambulances being searched and prohibitions placed on the transport of sand and materials used to manufacture concrete across the border. The Government of Spain have in addition publicly made a series of threats of further action which would harm Gibraltar’s interests. In parallel, Spanish state vessels have continued to make multiple illegal incursions into British Gibraltar territorial waters (BGTW), a situation which has been ongoing since April 2012.
	These actions and threats are wholly unacceptable. The impact of the border delays has been felt most severely by local citizens, both Gibraltarians and the thousands of Spanish commuters who benefit from employment in Gibraltar. As well as having to endure long delays in hot weather, people crossing the border have reported aggressive behaviour by the teams of
	guardia civil officers brought from other parts of Spain to conduct the enhanced checks. There have been disturbing reports of Gibraltar-licensed cars being burnt or otherwise vandalised in Spain. The ban on importing certain materials is having an impact on infrastructure projects and the reduction in the number of people able to cross the border has reduced retail sales, having a negative impact on Gibraltar’s economic prosperity.
	These measures are disproportionate and obviously politically motivated, having been introduced immediately after the lawful creation by the Government of Gibraltar of an artificial reef in BGTW. They are also unlawful under EU law: the creation of the reef was legal and is part of the Government of Gibraltar’s long-term marine environmental management plan designed to improve fish stocks and regenerate habitat. The use of inert concrete blocks to create artificial reefs is consistent with international best practice and with the Government of Spain’s own approach to artificial reefs.
	The heightened rhetoric from the Spanish Foreign Minister is also concerning. It is clearly intimidating for the people of Gibraltar and indicates that there may be worse to come from the Spanish Government before we see an improvement in the situation.
	The Government have responded to these developments robustly and in concert with the Government of Gibraltar. We summoned the Spanish Ambassador on 2 August. Our Ministers have protested in the strongest terms to their counterparts, including the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, emphasising that Britain will not stand by in the face of continued hostility and stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Gibraltar.
	We have asked that the European Commission urgently sends a monitoring mission to the border to investigate the delays, and following the Prime Minister’s call, we welcome President Barroso’s confirmation that a mission will be sent this month. In partnership with the Government of Gibraltar, we are continuing to collect evidence of the disproportionate unlawful border measures, and will share this with the European Commission before their monitoring mission arrives. We are also keeping under review the option of taking direct legal action against the Spanish Government, via a complaint to the European Court of Justice.
	Despite these actions, the border delays, incursions and threatening rhetoric continue. The Government’s aim is to de-escalate the tension, so that Gibraltarians can go about their business unhampered and free from intimidation. At the same time, we will continue to protect the rights and interests of Gibraltar and the United Kingdom.
	On 7 August the Foreign Secretary again confirmed to the Spanish Government our commitment to a diplomatic solution, repeating the offer made in April 2012 for ad hoc talks involving all relevant parties while remaining strongly committed to the Trilateral Forum of Dialogue between the UK, Gibraltar and Spain.
	We will continue to press the Spanish Government to de-escalate the situation and to remove the additional checks at the border. We will also continue to work very closely with the Government of Gibraltar.
	On 28-30 August, Chief Minister Picardo visited London for meetings with the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary.
	We will continue to respect the wishes of the people of Gibraltar, and will take whatever action is necessary to safeguard Gibraltar, its people and its economy.

Greenpeace: Arctic Sunrise

Baroness Warsi: My Honourable Friend the Minister of State for Europe (David Lidington) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement:
	I wish to inform the House of developments concerning the arrest of 30 people, including six British nationals who were onboard the Arctic Sunrise in the Arctic Circle. All have all been charged with “committing acts of piracy”, and the investigation continues.
	Since we were made aware of the detention of the ship on 19 September, our priority has been to provide full consular assistance to the six British nationals, and to their families and friends in the UK. This has included ensuring their welfare and that they have access to lawyers. We have also provided consular support to two New Zealand nationals.
	Murmansk is around 1500km from Moscow. We deployed a consular team prior to the vessel’s arrival in port and arranged for access to the detained. On 24 September consular officials met the British nationals on their arrival in Murmansk.
	Subsequently, our consular officials were in attendance for the preliminary court hearings for the British nationals between 26 and 29 September. All 30 detainees were placed on remand for up to two months and transferred to pre-trial detention facilities whilst the authorities carried out further investigation. Before and after the hearings, consular officials were permitted to talk with the British nationals and take messages from them to pass to concerned relatives in the UK.
	On 2 October the Russian Investigative Authority charged all 30 detainees with acts of piracy. Consular officials carried out further consular visits on 3 and 4 October to all six British nationals, and one of the New Zealand nationals. We were able to check on their welfare and address any concerns. We are working closely with the Russian authorities and we remain grateful for their continued co-operation. Going forward, we will remain in regular contact with the British detainees and continue to provide all appropriate consular assistance. We are working closely with Greenpeace to address any concerns they may have about due process and welfare.
	On 3 October, My Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met John Sauven, Greenpeace Executive Director and Ruth Davis, Greenpeace Political Director, to discuss their concerns. He made clear that he was following the case closely and that he had spoken with Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov in New York on
	25 September. The Foreign Secretary said we would remain in close contact with all other nations whose citizens were involved, and make representations to the Russian authorities if necessary.
	Senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have also raised the case with Russia’s Ambassador to the UK on 26 September and our Ambassador in Moscow raised the case with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov on 2 October.

Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team

Baroness Warsi: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (William Hague) made the following Written Ministerial Statement in September.
	The Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) is a UK-led, multinational effort of the UK, US, Danish and, until 2012, the Estonian governments. It works with International Security Assistance Force’s (ISAF) Regional Command South West, helping the Afghan Government establish improved governance and development across Helmand Province, and is one of many Provincial Reconstruction Teams which have been working in every province of Afghanistan in recent years.
	As agreed by President Karzai and the international community, all PRTs across Afghanistan will close by the end of 2014 in keeping with the process of transition to an Afghan lead. This includes Helmand where HMG funded programmes have improved governance and economic conditions.
	The PRT has put local political representation and participation at the core of its work, helping to build trust and confidence in local government and to bolster stability. More than 40,000 Helmandis have voted in District Community Council elections since 2009. There is rising confidence in the Afghan Police with trends showing a 20% increase from 2010 in those who believe the Police act in their interest and a more functional police and justice system. The number of children in schools has more than doubled since 2007, from 54,204 to 130,292, including almost 30,000 girls. Almost 80% of the population now has access to healthcare within 10km of their home. The PRT has also overseen the construction of more than 250 kilometres of hard-top road in Helmand and the rehabilitation of around a quarter of the 300 kilometre irrigation canal system.
	Independent polling data reports that support for a return to government of the Taliban has fallen to just 5% of the population, and that the number of those who believe the Afghan Government does a good job has risen by 16% between 2011 and 2013.
	Afghan forces now have lead responsibility for security across the entire country and are leading 92% of all operations whilst carrying out 90% of their own training. As of the end of June all of the 1,000 police patrols in central Helmand each week were conducted alone without ISAF support.
	The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have now reached their surge strength target of 352,000 personnel and their growing confidence and capability has enabled us to draw down our troops from 9,000 at the start of 2013 to around 5,200 by the end of the year. Our draw down has included moving the headquarters of Taskforce Helmand from Lashkar Gah to Camp Bastion in August 2013. UK troops continue to work in an advisory role to the ANSF, to develop their skills and build their confidence. A significant number of UK troops support ANSF operations by providing important enablers such as medical evacuation, aviation and surveillance capabilities.
	In preparation for the completion of transition, the PRT has been working with Afghan and international partners to transition our work on rule of law, governance and development to Afghan control or incorporate it into national programmes led from Kabul.
	It is this progress and transition of our work which will allow us to significantly reduce the size of the PRT by December 2013, at which point we envisage a small PRT political and governance and development team moving first to Camp Bastion towards the end of the year followed by the final closure of the PRT in March 2014.
	The combination of the successful build up of the ANSF to a strong and increasingly capable force, alongside progress on the ground means we can be proud of what we have achieved in Afghanistan and especially in the very challenging environment of Helmand Province. We went into Afghanistan to protect our national security by helping Afghans to take control of their own. Thanks to the courage and commitment of our Armed Forces and those civilians who have worked alongside UK and ISAF forces Afghanistan is no longer a safe haven for international terrorists to launch attacks on our streets.
	The ANSF, supported by the international community, now have the lead security for Afghanistan’s 27 million citizens and the prevention of the return of international terrorists to Afghanistan. We have also helped set the conditions for a more viable state; one that can provide basic services, improve the lives of ordinary Afghan citizens and reduce instability. The UK, together with the international community has committed to long-term support for Afghans as they shape their country after 2014. Commitments will provide $4bn a year for security until 2017 and $4bn a year for development to underpin Afghanistan’s future security and stability.
	All of this, in spite of the setbacks we have overcome and the challenges that we know still lie ahead, supports national security and has created the opportunity for Afghans to build a better future.

Railways: Fares and Tickets

Baroness Kramer: My Right Honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport (Patrick McLoughlin) has made the following Ministerial Statement:
	Today I am publishing “Rail Fares and Ticketing: Next Steps”, the outcome of the Government’s review of fares and ticketing. The review has been an
	opportunity to consider a range of options to address issues about fares and ticketing raised by passengers and others.
	In conclusion, we are setting out our vision for a modern, customer-focused fares and ticketing system that will support our objectives of allowing even more people to travel by rail and ensure they have a better experience and which:
	• supports a passenger-focused railway, meeting changing needs and travel patterns; • promotes a vibrant future for our railways supporting economic growth and prosperity and helping to reduce the country’s carbon footprint; • enjoys the trust of passengers and the commitment of the rail industry; and• maintains its current strengths whilst embracing sensible change in the interest of passengers and taxpayers who fund our railways.
	New track and trains are only part of the story for improving our railways. We remain committed to rolling out smart ticketing across the network. We want the whole experience of travelling by rail to be modern, seamless and easy, starting with buying a ticket to travel. We also recognise that the cost and complexity of train fares is naturally a key concern for passengers.
	To help passengers, I can confirm that from January 2014 we will give rail passengers a better deal by capping the upper limit of any individual fare rise at 2% above the permitted average of inflation plus 1%, for all regulated fares. This will protect passengers from large fare increases which can have a significant impact on household budgets by taking 3% off the maximum.
	We are trialling a scheme to regulate longer distance off peak tickets on a single leg basis to remove the scenario where some single off-peak tickets cost nearly as much as return tickets.
	We will also trial more flexible tickets that can provide a more attractive offer for commuters travelling fewer than five days a week or outside peak hours.
	The report reconfirms the Government’s commitment to ensuring that ticket offices remain an important route for passengers to buy tickets. Reflecting changes in the ways that people are buying train tickets, the Government is at the same time setting out ways that train operators can make improvements to their ticket offer at stations providing that appropriate passenger safeguards are also put in place. We intend for passenger representative bodies to play a greater role in shaping the packages that are brought forward by train operators.
	Other measures highlighted in the report include:
	• a ticketing code of practice: the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) will oversee the code to ensure that passengers are provided with the information they need to choose the best ticket for their journey and that this information is clear and not misleading; • a market review: the ORR will look into the sale of tickets and consider whether current markets are operating efficiently, effectively, and in the best interests of passengers and taxpayers. The
	Department has committed to consider any cost-effective recommendations that come out of the review;• annual surveys: ATOC has agreed to release the information to customers from next year on how well ticket office staff, ticket machines and websites perform in regards to selling passengers the best ticket for their journey.
	Our railways are a vital part of our nation’s future. The Government is determined to build on the continued success of our railways and that is why we are providing over £16bn to support the network and make sure it can respond to increasing passenger demand, help economic growth and cut our carbon footprint.
	While above-inflation fare rises in recent years have been necessary to help fund our record investment in the network, it remains our firm ambition to cap fare rises at the level of inflation, just as soon as economic conditions allow and savings have been made to the cost of running our railways.
	The review document explains how we will blend the best of regulation with the best of market forces to deliver a fares and ticketing system that puts passengers first and our railways on a sustainable footing for the future.
	I will place copies of the document, Rail Fares and Ticketing: Next Steps in the libraries of both Houses.

Retail: Payment Systems

Lord Deighton: My right honourable friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Sajid Javid) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	In March 2013 the Government published a consultation, Opening up UK payments, which set out the Government’s proposal to introduce a new, competition-focused, utility-style regulator for retail payment systems in the UK. This proposal reflected
	the Government’s concerns about the market for UK payment systems, in which strong network effects and vertically-integrated ownership structures give rise to problems in three main areas: competition, innovation and delivery against end-user needs. The consultation presented a set of questions identifying the key issues on which the Government sought views. The consultation closed on 25 June.
	The Government is publishing its response to the consultation today. The Government is introducing amendments to the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Bill to establish the new Payment Systems Regulator as a separate body under the FCA. The Payment Systems Regulator will have objectives to promote competition, innovation and the interests of end-users. The Regulator will be able to oversee any payment system operating in the UK that is brought into scope by being designated by HM Treasury. Once a payment system is designated, the Payment Systems Regulator will have a range of powers over its participants (operators, infrastructure providers and payment service providers that provide payment services using the system), in order to advance its objectives.
	The Payment Systems Regulator will have powers to make requirements regarding rules for the operation of designated systems, and to give directions to participants in such systems. It will also have specific powers to require direct and indirect access to designated systems, and to vary agreements relating to such systems (including fees, charges and terms and conditions). The Payment Systems Regulator will also have enforcement powers to publish details of compliance failure, to impose financial penalties in respect of a compliance failure, and to require owners of payment systems to dispose of their interests in them, subject to HM Treasury approval. The Regulator will also have concurrent Competition Act powers to enforce the Competition Act 1998 prohibitions against anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance, and to make Market Investigation References to the Competition and Markets Authority.
	I am placing copies of this document in the Libraries of both Houses.